Long-form name: Republic of the Marshall Islands

Type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986

Capital: Majuro

Administrative divisions: none

Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship; formerly the Marshall Islands District of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)

Constitution: 1 May 1979

Legal system: based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws

National holiday: Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979)

Executive branch: president, Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral Nitijela

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Amata KABUA (since 1979)

Political parties and leaders: no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and traditional) leader

Suffrage: universal at age 18

Elections: President--last held NA November 1987 (next to be held November 1991); results--President Amata KABUA was reelected; Parliament--last held NA November 1987 (next to be held November 1991); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(33 total)

Communists: none

Member of: ESCAP (associate), ICAO, SPC, SPF, UN

Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALL; Chancery at 2433 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-5414; US--Ambassador William BODDE, Jr.; Embassy at NA address (mailing address is P. O. Box 680, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-4380); telephone 692-4011

Flag: blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner--orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes

NOTE: The information regarding Marshall Islands on this page is re-published from the 1991 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Marshall Islands Government 1991 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Marshall Islands Government 1991 should be addressed to the CIA.